the Standard Chartered Bank/Nairobi Marathon is Sunday. They are paying around $6500 for first place, and it looks like the winner of the 2.5k fun run wins a year's supply of margerine - guess the same guy won't win next year. It also looks like the idea of "just finishing" is catching on in Kenya too, although they're closing the course at 5 hours, which is about the time many folks here pass halfway. Anyway, should be interesting to see how it goes.
Article:
Athletics
Sunday, November 2, 2003
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Thousands to start today's
Nairobi Marathon
By PETER NJENGA
Over 5,000 marathon runners converge outside the Kenyatta International Conference Centre for the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, the biggest mass participatory sporting event ever held in Kenya.
Divided in three categories - 42km marathon, 10km road race and 2.5km family fun run - the highlights will be televised next weekend in the South Africa pay channel, Supersport.
A combined force of Kenya Police, National Youth Service and security guards will line the route to ensure safety for the competitors.
Parts of Uhuru Highway, Ngong, James Gichuru, Langata, Mombasa roads, Kenyatta and Moi Avenues will be closed for traffic between 6.30m to 12.30 pm. Offenders can expect to be arrested on the spot and their vehicles impounded, Nairobi area traffic boss James Onyango has said.
Traffic from Mombasa will be diverted into the city through the old airport road. Those coming into Nairobi from Nakuru will use the right hand side of the dual carriage-way. The Ngong Road between Lenana School and City Mortuary roundabout will also be closed between 7.30 am and 12.30pm, as will the James Gichuru road.
About 816 marathoners led by former Fukuoka and Boston Marathon champions James Kahugu and Lameck Aguta will be vying for the Sh500,000 at stake for the winner. Experienced Norah Maraga and Delilah Asiago lead the women's challenge.
But the majority are ordinary office workers determined to realise the dream of conquering the 42km race.
The 10km road race has the highest number of entrants, 3,000. Most companies have entered the Corporate challenge to raise funds for the needy. The national Rugby Sevens team has entered to show solidarity with the rest of Kenyans. The youngest runner is 19-year-old Andrew Auma while at 53, Mwaura Njoroge will be the oldest.
Four lucky athletes-two male and two female who have never competed in any athletic event outside this country shall be given a short-cut to big time racing provided they convince scrutineers they have the talent they can exploit.
Through a collaborative venture between the British High Commission and Unilever, these athletes will be invited to compete in the Flora London Marathon next year and enjoy all the facilities given to elite runners like world record holder Paul Tergat and Paula Radcliffe of Britain.
The first three finishers in the 2.5km family run will be given badges. Boys and girl winners will receive a year's supply of Blue Band Margarine.